Almost 2011...wow!

I just wanted to pop in, say "hi" and say a a MASSIVE thank you to those of you who have really toughed it out with me this year.

It's been a rough one, but I can't possibly ever tell you how much it means to me to have such loyal friends, friends who have been there when I needed picking up (when I thought I couldn't get any lower), and who have given me a shoulder to lean on and cry on. You all are the BEST!!

I wish you all a very !!!!

I'm hoping that 2011 is filled with joy, peace, good fortune, faith and hope. That your dreams are fulfilled and that you all know how very much you mean to me.

PS - No, this is not post 100. THIS is post #99!!! :D

All my best,

You Gotta Stay Tuned!

When I say that...I MEAN it!!

I'm going to be doing a really fab give-away soon with some great stuff from Unity (Kits of the Month) and Hero Arts (new stuff!) and you have to watch the blog in order to know when it is.

The trick will be, it's going to be my 100th blog post. (I don't blog very often.)

I'll want you to show your friends on Facebook, Google Reader, Twitter, your own blog, etc! The more places you share the more chances to win. :)

BUT...not today.

So, if you think this sounds like a fun give-away...then "you gotta stay tuned"!!!

See you soon!!

* Edit - If you comment on THIS post you'll get an extra chance at the give-away AND my current subscribers get an extra comment, so...that's the possibility of TWO extra chances to win goodies. You can subscribe at the top of the page or in Google Reader. Just let me know. I DO know how many current subscribers I have so don't try to pull a fast one on me. ;)

(Commenting closed!)



All my best,

I'm Starting To Hate Snowflakes...

Have you ever started to create something thinking, "Yes! This will be great for mass production!! So easy! Soooo perfect!!" Then after making squillions of them start to detest them? Heh. Welcome to my nightmare.

I won't show you the finished product, yet, but I will post what I've been die-cutting bazillions of:



Believe it or not, I had already made 20 of a MUCH more complicated (yes, Leslie) a "fussy" card. But, when it really hit me how many more I had to make and how VERY much mass-production is not my thing that idea went out the window FAST!

So enter my plan to make a more CAS (clean-and-simple) card. Again, using my kajillions of die-cut glitter snowflakes. Have I mentioned yet how much my arms hurt from die-cutting these stupid things? And, if anyone wants to buy me a Vagabond for Christmas and my birthday (since they're so close together) I'll love you forever!! Seriously... I WILL!! ♥

Once I get everything all done and I have the chance to take some pretty pictures, I will. But right now my crafty space looks like the kitties attacked it. Heck, they may have and I just don't know!! But for now, just oooh & ahhh over the pretty glittered snowflakes. ;)

{Supplies:
Paper: Christmas Glitter (American Crafts)
Die: Cuttlebug - Snowflake (3 x 3" die)
Baker's Twine: Stash (purchased at Tim Holtz event
Gold Cord: Stampin' Up
Embossing/Diecutting Machine: Cuttlebug (Provocraft)}

All my best,

Slaving away!

I'm slaving away at my Christmas cards!! And, as I'm prone to do, I'm making them waaaaaay more complicated that I need to/should. ACK!

I just finished 20 cards last night and then updated my Christmas card list. I *THEN* realized I have about 15 - 20 more to go. Ugggghhh! Have I ever mentioned how much me and mass-production don't get along? Because we don't. I'm a one card wonder.

So, right now I"m taking a teeny break. Enjoying the elixir of the Gods:




Oh yes, COFFFEEFEEE!!!! And then once I'm properly caffeinated I'll get back to creating again. Heh...who knows? I may even make this next batch completely different from the first batch!! Cuz that's how I roll. ;)

I hope all of you are enjoying getting ready for the holidays in whatever way you celebrate. Shopping, decorating, or whatever. For me this Christmas is a little less celebratory (it's been a rough year), but I still wish you all a very happy and joy-filled Christmas and holiday season anyway.



All my best,

Hero Arts Blog Hop This Friday!

Have you heard? Hero Arts is doing an awesome blog hop this Friday, December 10th!! Here's the deets:

You’re invited to join us on Friday, December 10th for a fun-filled, inspiration-packed blog hop featuring ALL NEW stamps from the upcoming 2011 Hero Arts Catalog!


We’ll hop between the blogs of more than 20 Hero Arts designers and friends, previewing the new stamps and sharing idea after idea. You’ll be able to leave comments along the way for a chance to win fabulous prizes — 2011 Catalog stamps, of course!


We’re so excited! We can’t wait for you to see everything!! So come join the fun — it all starts right here on the blog the morning of December 10.


Just go to the Hero Arts blog to start hoppin' on Friday. It's ALWAYS a good time with Hero Arts!

All my best,

Birthdays ROCK!!!

Ever make a card you just love? I mean REALLY love? I made one such card last night.

I needed to make a card for Eddy's eldest nephew and making cards for adolescent boys is hard enough, but somehow I pulled it off and made a card that just ROCKS!!

There's a lot going on with this card and I just wish you could hold the card, in the light, and see it. It's really something. I was worried it was maybe a little girly, y'know? But, it's really not. It's got a lot of black and some faux leather cardstock (yes, you read that right...faux LEATHER black CARDSTOCK)!! Then with the label maker I was able to make the perfect sentiment for the budding bassist. I think he'll dig it.



and a close-up since the regular shot just failed to capture all its glory:



So even though he's not really a "boy" anymore, I hope he likes the card and has a GREAT birthday.

{Supplies:
Paper: Cardstock - White (Gina K), Faux Black Leather (Paper Temptress), Ballet Blue (SU!)
Ink: Distress Inks - Variety (Tim Holtz for Ranger), Versamark (Tsukineko), Black Maya Mist (Maya Road)
Embossing: EP - Holographic EP (Ranger), Cracked Texture Fade (Tim Holtz for Sizzix)
Accessories: Grungeboard #'s, Square Fragment & Staples (Ideaology), Black Twine (SU!), Label Maker (Dymo), Die-cutting/Embossing Machine (Cuttlebug by Provocraft).}

All my best,

CAS94 Splitcoast Stampers Favorite - What?!?!

Now. You all know me. I am soooooooo not a clean and simple (CAS) stamper. I like putting lots and lots and LOTS of embellishments and shiny things on my cards. Ribbons, pearls, embossing! Oh yes! I. MUST. Emboss!! Hence the challenge of the clean and simple challenges over at Splitcoast Stampers.

This weeks challenge...or is it now last weeks?...anyway the challenge was clean and simple with sponging. Hmmm. I know how to do sponging. But how do you sponge something AND keep it CAS?!?! ACK!

I decided I'd use a piece of DSP with a very subtle print from Basic Grey's Jovial line, stamp on it with Distress Ink (and, yes, I embossed it...so sue me), then...sponged all over THAT!! Turned out pretty cool! I had pre-cut and embossed the paper using Petite Oval Nestabilities and my Cuttlebug. Once all the sponging was done I stamped my sentiment at the bottom, then using foam squares I popped up my oval, and rounded the two opposite corners of the card. DONE!





I posted the card on Splitcoast with relatively low expectations since I haven't been very crafty lately and the talent pool over there is WOW!!!! But...today I get notified that my card was part of the Faves of the Week! From two different people!! YAY!!! How cool is that? I'm so excited. Makes me so happy. And I feel a little good. I think there may even be a smile forming. ;)

{For all supplies used please click HERE<--click.}

All my best,

Ornaments are FUN!

I was determined to clear out my Google Reader today, but one of my beloved Tweeps (Twitter friends, in case you don't know the lingo) has been blogging non-friggin'-stop!! Leslie (aka the crookedstamper) claims it's her Thanksgiving Marathon or somesuch nonsense. I think she's just making the rest of us once in a blue moon bloggers look bad.

Anyway, as I was actually reading all her posts I noticed she made this really fabby paper ornament. AND she gave a tutorial! SA-WEET!!! It actually looked like something my tortured little brain could handle. Even better!

So I broke out some DSP and started reading through the tutorial (which you can find HERE <-- Click ). Please leave her some love & let her know I sent you, won't you? So here's my version of Leslie's paper ornament. I always have to bling things up, or make it "fussy". ;) But, I'm telling you the possibilities are ENDLESS!



I really hope you try these. If you do, please let me know & link to me in your comments. I'd love to see what you come up with, too!

Wishing you a warm & wonderful weekend. Happy creating!

{Supplies:
Paper: DSP - Jovial (Basic Grey)
Ink - Fired Brick (Distress Ink - Tim Holtz for Ranger)
Accessories - Pearls, Ribbon, Brad (SU!), Holographic EP - used as "glitter" (Ranger)}


All my best,

Stay Tuned!

Just a quick no-card (yet!) post to draw your attention to a little somethin'-somethin' that's been in the works for a while now.

COMING SOON!! MY WEBSITE!! Woohoo!!!

papergrace.com


Yes, my own little teeny piece of the Interwebz. ;) Hope that anyone who DOES follow me (my few and mighty) will stay tuned for everything that's going to be happening.

I'm SUPER excited!!


All my best,

I Wanna Feel Creative..

...sung to the tune of I Wanna Be Sedated. ;)

I haven't really been feeling too creative lately. Life just seems to have a way of dragging me down lately. But, today I decided to get reacquainted with all of my crafty stuff. Just to see if I actually COULD make something.

AND I DID!

I made two cards. One is really a belated birthday card. (The belated wishes are on the inside.) And, the other is kind of a trial to see if I could make something holiday-ish. Not sure if the result is what I want to use for MY Holiday cards, but it didn't suck too bad. I'd really love your feedback on it to see what you think.

So, first. The birthday card. I was trying for something masculine. Hope it doesn't look girlie, but...me and my ribbon (which is from the FABULOUS Nicole Maki, btw) I just neeeeeeeeded to add it on there. Plus, it provided a place for me to pin on a Tim Holtz wish metal tag. Bonus!



And, for the second card. I was trying to make it as simple to make (for myself) as I could, but stay true to my style. Not sure about it yet. Hmmm...



May have to play around more with the basics and see if I can come up with something else, but I'd love some opinions...so fire away!

So that was my brief creative burst for today. Crossing my fingers that I'll find it in me to make more soon.

Thanks for taking a look and I wish you all a very wonderful week ahead.

{Supplies:
Paper: All cardstock (SU!), DSP - Oliver & Jovial (Basic Grey)
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray & Shimmer Paint (SU!)
Stamps: Daily Designs Sentiments (PTI)
Dies: Sizzlit - Joyful (SU!), Double Ended Tags (Spellbinders)
Embossing: Northern Flurry (Textured Impressions by Sizzix for SU!)
Accessories: Metal "Wish" tag, mini-safety pin, & Tissue Tape (Tim Holtz for Ideaology), Pearls & Ribbon (SU!), Handmande Crinkle Ribbon (Nicole Maki), Large Scallop Punch (EK Success), Corner Rounder (We-R-Memory Keepers), Embossing/Die-cutting Machine (Cuttlebug by Provocraft).}


All my best,

I made a card...she's worth it

I've been in an EXTREEEEEEEMMMMMEEE creative slump lately. I mean, I'm so slumped over you can't really go as low as I've been. Really quite pathetic.

But, I knew that I needed to make a card for Eddy's mom whose birthday is tomorrow. This is a woman who has been through so much. If I didn't get it together and make her a card...well, I may as well just sell all my crafty stuff. ALL OF IT!!

So, needless to say I made her a card. I love that woman. And she deserves a really pretty card. I hope she likes what I made her. It was made with love.



There's some really shimmery parts on the card, other than on the rosette, but I really didn't feel like posting more than one photo. I think you get the idea, and it REALLY is shimmery. Very lovely, actually. :)

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. xoxo

{Supplies:
Paper - SU & Webster's Pages
Ink - Distress Ink (Ranger) and Shimmer Paint (SU)
Stamps - Deseos pequeñitos (SU)
Dies - Rosette Strip (Tim Holtz for Sizzix)
Accessories - Clear EP (Ranger), Button (Tim Holtz), Pearls (Hero Arts), Ribbon & Linen Thread, Metal Tag & Tag punch (SU) ,Corner Chomper (We-R-Memory Keepers), Embossing/Die-cutting Machine (Big Shot, Sizzix)}

All my best,

Tim Holtz Holiday Workshop

I was very, very, VERY lucky and was able to attend 2 (out of the 3) Tim Holtz Holiday workshops that were held this past weekend at Stampers Corner in Elk Grove, CA. I could've actually signed up for all 3, but I didn't want to make the book thingy that was the first part of day one. (Though it does look pretty cool as a finished product.)

Anyway, it was 2 days of whirlwind activity. Lots to take in!! The staff at Stampers Corner was amazing and Tim's crew was exceptionally prepared, as well.

The two projects that I made were the "Creative Festive Blocks" and the "Configuration of Your Imagination". If you go to the link above you can even see me somewhere in the pictures. Look real hard. I promise I'm in at least two of them. ;)

Both projects were a lot of fun to make and were a LOT less inky than I'm used to , but pretty technique-y. If you love his Tissue Tapes (or any tissue tapes for that matter) then these may be the projects for YOU! We used a lot of it!

If you go to the link above you can, of course, see Tim's gorgeous originals. But, here are MY creations:



and...



I really had such a good time. Just what I needed. Hopefully I'll get that creative juice flowing again. (Cross your fingers for me, light the smudge, say some prayers, do a dance...WHATEVER!!! OK?!?!)

And if that doesn't work, maybe having a picture with Tim Holtz will help me? ;)



Wishing you all well, and happy Fall!

All my best,

Yes, it's True...

Shock of all shocks.... I MADE A CARD!!! (Try not to fall over or if you feel faint then have a neighbor nearby to call 9-1-1 for ya.)

I know it's been forever and a day, but what can I tell you? When the mojo is gone? It's GONE! With all the stuff that's been going on I just haven't had the creativity flowing and had just felt, well, creative-less.

Anyway, my dad had a birthday. So I could have just gone out and bought a card, but that just would've been weird & wrong. Hence, today's card. Even though his birthday was the 22nd (yes, it's BELATED!! Cut me some slack, he's at least getting a hand-made card, alright?!) I figured better late than never.

I think he'll like it. And I did work hard at it. Put a lot of love into it, too. Because I'm just sweet like that. ;)

Hope you find it kind of groovy, too:



Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

{Supplies:
Paper - Ch. Chip, Kraft (cookie crumble or whatever it's called now) (SU!), Max & Whiskers, Basics White (Basic Grey)
Ink - Walnut Stain, Chipped Sapphire Distress Inks (Tim Holtz for Ranger), Versamark (Tsukineko)
Stamps - 100th Collection (Stampers Anonymous, Tim Holtz), Baroque Motifs, Occasional Quotes (SU!)
Dies - Ticket Strip (Tim Holtz for Sizzix), Labels 8 & 4 (Spellbinders)
Embossing (dry) - Checkerboard (Tim Holtz for Sizzix)
Accessories - Clear EP (Ranger), Gold EP (SU!), Brad (Imaginisce), Tiny Type (Around the Block), Pearls (Hero Arts),Corner Chomper (We-R-Memory Keepers), Embossing/Die-cutting Machine (Cuttlebug Provocraft)}



All my best,

Been gone too long!

No card today. Or anything creative. Just an apology for being gone so stinkin' long!

We've been out of town a bunch of times, then Eddy's dad passed away ...then we went out of town again. It's been a bit hectic. To say the least.

Now that we're back in town for at least a little bit, I promise to get back in the swing of things creativity-wise. I need to get my stamps inky!!

Thanks for hanging in there with me, and for those who knew about Eddy's dad we really appreciate your love, prayers & support.


All my best,

If a Card Could Exude Happiness...

Just uploaded and posted the following card to SCS for today's inspiration challenge (IC237) and I gotta tell ya this card just makes me wanna smile.

It's kind of like you're staring into the face of sunshine. It's bright, it's bold, and it has an amazing quote on it! Aaaaahhhhh....I just want to bask in it's radiance. HAHH! ;)




I loved the inspiration shop, Loveartworks Clay Originals. Who couldn't be inspired by something there? I was a little overwhelmed by everything, to be honest, but I love her use of color and the quotes she puts on some of her pieces. I went with that.

Hope you're all having a FABULOUS weekend! And thanks, so much, for stopping by.


{Supplies:
Paper: Colored c/s - (SU!), white (Georgia Pacific)
Ink: Elegant Eggplant (SU!)
Stamps: The Artist In You (Donna Downey for Unity)
Accessories: Flowers (Prima), Pearl, brads (SU!), Corner Chomper (We-R-Memorny Keepers) }


All my best,

Best Dad In the World

I participated in my VERY first sketch challenge yesterday on Splitcoaststampers (it's SC285, and the link to the challenge is HERE <-- click) and I decided to make it a Father's Day card for my dad. I knew I wanted to use my new DP from Tim Holtz called Lost & Found, but I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do.

My original plan kind of fell apart when I realized I didn't have enough metal letter charms, so I went a different route and I really like how this turned out. I used the map paper and spelled out "Dad" with letter stickers from Jolee. The stickers were WAY too light so I sponged them darker with Coffee Arhival ink (Ranger). I love archival ink!

I also hand cut 1" squares out of swirl-embossed Grungeboard and used Perfect medium and a combination of two colors of Perfect Pearls to create a really neat color for the tiles. (Too bad you can't really see it in the photo, but they're soooo pretty!) Perfect Pearls are so much fun.

I added the metal arrow hardware (kind of like compass arrows to guide your way :) ). Anyway, using the map as my main "theme" and knowing it was a Father's Day card I knew what I wanted it to say on the inside to I printed my sentiment on cardstock. It says: "Happy Father's Day to the Best Dad in the World".

He's a great dad. And is hope he likes his card. I loved making it for him.





{Supplies:
Paper: C/S Oceans Tide (PTI), Naturals White & Choc. Chip (SU!); DSP - Lost & Found (Tim Holtz), Max & Whiskers (Basic Grey)
Ink: Distress Inks (Tim Holtz), Archival Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Letter Stickers (Jolee), Grungeboard & Metal Findings (Advantus), Perfect Pearls (Ranger), Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Die-cutting/Embossing Machine (Cuttlebug by Provocraft) }

All my best,

In Honor of Flag Day

There's a challenge going on over at Splitcoast Stampers right now for the Clean and Simple group called "Things That Fly" (click HERE for the challenge). Well, I decided to participate today by making a card in honor of Flag Day.

Not much is known (I'm sure) about Flag Day. But here is a teeny snippet of information I pulled up from Wiki:

It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

I think that's pretty cool!

Now, I'm fiercely patriotic. I signed the dotted line, held up my right hand, and swore to defend my country by serving in the military. So making this card was pretty straight forward...sort of. I decided to drop one of the stars down and not really make it *look* like a flag. The "fallen" star is to commemorate all those fallen soldiers who, like me, also signed, held up THEIR hands and swore to defend this great country of ours. They...are MY heroes.



If you have a flag I hope it's out there flying high & waving proudly today.


{Supplies:
Paper: C/S (Enchanted Evening - PTI), White (Gina K Designs)
Ink: Distress Inks (Tim Holtz), Night of Navy (SU!), Jet Black Archival (Ranger)
Stamps: Star Prints (PTI), Bountiful Backgrounds (Verve)
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder (Ranger), Star Punch (SU!)}


All my best,

May VSN Puddle Jumper Winner

Okay. So we all know that I did the VSN because Lydia FORCED me to, right? Right! ;) I really also did it because my mojo had all but disappeared. Soooo not good. (For anyone who says they need mojo? I can identify in ways that you just will never understand and will say prayers to the mojo gods on your behalf.)

Anyway, when I did the VSN I kinda trudged along and did the best I could. Some things I really liked how they ultimately turned out (which you may have seen in earlier posts) and some I thought were just, well, meh. What I have learned is that beauty really IS in the eye of the beholder. Really!!!

Two of the cards I felt the most "meh" about were two that seemed to leave the biggest impression somehow. One was the CAS (clean and simple) card that got picked for a CAS Weekly Favorite. Total shocker. The other was this card:



It was for the watercolor challenge and to use brown. I didn't use brown (other than a little tea dye ink) in my image just a lot of brown in the paper and ribbon. Actually, it's a fairly straight forward card. And I thought my water-coloring was awful! My hands shook so bad...I colored outside the lines. I was embarrassed to post it. But, I did it anyway.

Well.

It got picked as one of the WINNERS, yes, WINNERS!! for the May VSN (Virtual Stamp Night). The card is considered a "Big Puddle Jumper Winner". Still not sure what that means, but I'm very honored and excited.

Thanks to all of you who have been kind enough to look at all these posts recently, to comment, and be so supportive. I cannot possibly thank you enough!!

Hope you all have an AMAAAAZING weekend. Hugs to you all!


All my best,

A Card With a Wish!

I've been so bad with the whole card-making thing lately. I did VSN amidst craft room/office madness. Seriously, it was a disaster zone (HazMat suits were a requirement to get in there it was so bad)!! But, I knew there were a few cards that really needed to get made. I just couldn't get them done until the room was back in order. Eddy's eldest sister's birthday card was one that got delayed. (I felt horrible, too.)

So, now that order has been restored to the room and I can craft & create in a reasonable state of calm again I knew I needed to make that birthday card. Since she's being forced to wait for it I figured I try to make her something really special. I received some really beautiful paper (FOR FREE!!!!) from Eclectic Paperie in my last order from them so I decided to use that along with some Tim Holtz goodness and a little Core'dinations in the Jenni Bowlin line (it's so yummy!). Anyway (enough babbling)...here's what I made for her:



I love using all those little metal findings from Tim Holtz. They're so fun and add such a cool touch. The inside is really neat, too, but my camera's battery died. Boo hoo! Sorry.

Thanks for stopping by to have a look at what I've created today. Hope you like it!

{Supplies:
Paper: C/S (Stampin' Up!), DSP (MME - Bloom & Grow), Specialty - Core'dinations (Jenni Bowlin Collection), Grungepaper (Tim Holtz Ideaology)
Ink: Distress Inks (Tim Holtz for Ranger)
Stamps: Birthday Basics (Inside card) (PTI)
Accessories: Tattered Florals Sizzix Die (Tim Holtz for Sizzix), Adage ticket, Metal findings, Rock Candy Crackle Paint, Glossy Accents (Tim Holtz/Ranger), Lace (from stash).
Die-Cutting/Embossing: Cuttlebug (Provocraft)}


All my best,

Me? A CAS Favorite? Huh?

So I did the VSN thingy, right? And one of the cards was for a certain color-combo, and I did it. But I was a little unsure, so I kind of really didn't do much with it. I felt a little un-easy about the card. It felt a little "blah". Not much going on, y'know? But I loved the stamp set & went with it.

So...a week has passed.

IT GOT PICKED AS A CAS (Clean And Simple) Fan Favorite over on Splitcoast Stampers this week!!!!!!!! I'm so excited!!! This is a really big deal.

Here's the card:



Soooo not my usual style, right? :)

And here's the link to my super nice shout-out on Splitcoast Stampers <-- click And A HUGE, MASSIVE heartfelt thank you to my dearest honey-bunches-of-oats, Lydia. Who encouraged me to participate in VSN...THEN encouraged me again to select that card and tag it for CAS, also. What would I do without you, my friend? You are a shining light in a sometimes scary world. xoxo

All my best,